Photo: Manuel Harlan
‘I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire’ takes audiences on a wacky ride, bringing them into the quaint and intimate setting of Southwark Playhouse Borough, which is creatively transformed to resemble a 14-year-old girl’s room. As you might have guessed, this girl is utterly obsessed with Tobey Maguire.
Set in 2004, the play is drenched in nostalgia, featuring hit music from the era with songs by Britney Spears, Vanessa Carlton, Natasha Bedingfield, and Avril Lavigne. The story unfolds in Shelby’s basement, which she has converted into her personal hub and shrine dedicated to her Tobey Maguire obsession.
From the moment the performance begins, Tessa Albertson, playing Shelby, bursts onto the stage with infectious energy. Her portrayal vividly captures the wild infatuation and manic enthusiasm of a teenage girl in love with her celebrity crush. Albertson’s dynamic performance ensures that the audience is hooked from start to finish, as she leaps around the stage and delivers her lines with impeccable comedic timing.
The show is a non-stop barrage of jokes and laugh-out-loud moments, perfectly illustrating how an “innocent” teenage crush can spiral into absurdity, especially when it escalates to the point of kidnapping a celebrity. Anders Hayward, portraying Tobey Maguire, embodies the actor at the peak of his career, right after the release of the first Spider-Man movie. His performance adds a delightful layer of authenticity and nostalgia, making the audience feel as if they’ve been transported back to the early 2000s.
The production doesn’t just rely on humour; it also cleverly incorporates elements of the era, such as the iconic ABC quizzes from girls’ magazines that promised to reveal if your crush liked you back. These touches make the experience all the more relatable and engaging.
If you’re in the mood for a wild, hilarious ride filled with moments that will have you laughing until you can’t breathe, ‘I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire’ is the performance to see. It’s a delightful blend of nostalgia, comedy, and outrageous antics that will leave you reminiscing about your own teenage years and celebrity crushes.
Playing until 10th August, tickets available from I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire – Southwark Playhouse
Reviewer: Zain Russell
Reviewed: 3rd July 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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